BILL NUMBER: ACR 120	CHAPTERED  02/22/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   25
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   FEBRUARY 22, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   FEBRUARY 16, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 16, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 16, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 11, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Thomson
   (Principal coauthors:  Assembly Members Baugh and Villaraigosa)
   (Principal coauthors:  Senators Burton and Johnson)
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner,
Ashburn, Bates, Bock, Brewer, Briggs, Calderon, Campbell, Cardenas,
Cardoza, Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Cox, Davis, Dickerson, Ducheny,
Dutra, Firebaugh, Florez, Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund, Havice,
Hertzberg, House, Jackson, Keeley, Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard,
Longville, Lowenthal, Machado, Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni,
McClintock, Migden, Nakano, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco,
Papan, Pescetti, Romero, Runner, Shelley, Soto, Steinberg,
Strom-Martin, Thompson, Torlakson, Washington, Wayne, Wesson,
Wiggins, Wildman, Wright, and Zettel)

                        FEBRUARY 7, 2000

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 120--Relative to commending the
citizens and the City of Benicia for their hospitality, and creating
a suitable memorial.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 120, Thomson.  City of Benicia:  commendations.
   This measure would commend the City of Benicia for hosting the
Legislature's celebration of California's sesquicentennial at the
Benicia State Capitol.




   WHEREAS, The Legislature, in honor of California's
sesquicentennial, is convening on February 16, 2000, at the former
State Capitol in Benicia; and
   WHEREAS, The Benicia State Capitol was originally designed for use
as the city hall, but instead housed the Legislature in 1853 and
1854, until the state capital was moved to Sacramento; and
   WHEREAS, The Benicia State Capitol has a varied history, having
been used over the years as a court house, library, school, and fire
department, until it was deeded to the state in 1951; and
   WHEREAS, A restoration movement was spearheaded in the 1950's by
the Benicia Parlors of the Native Sons and Native Daughters of the
Golden West, Senator Luther E. Gibson, the State Park Commission, the
Division of Beaches and Parks (now the Department of Parks and
Recreation), and the City of Benicia; and
   WHEREAS, The restoration was overseen by supervising architect
Alfred Eichler, who used many original construction materials,
including the original square cut nails, which were found at a local
hardware store, reproduction Pennsylvania float glass, and ponderosa
pine flooring; and
   WHEREAS, At an approximate cost of $230,000, the restoration was
completed in 1958, and the structure was rededicated as a State
Historical Monument; and
   WHEREAS, To honor the restoration of the Benicia State Capitol,
the Legislature and Governor met on March 15, 1958, as part of a
three-day celebration that included parades, marching bands, period
costumes, dances, and a civic luncheon at the historic Clock Tower
Building; and
   WHEREAS, On January 20, 2000, the Legislature, in seeking a
suitable event to celebrate and honor California history on the
occasion of its 150th anniversary as a state, passed Senate
Concurrent Resolution 54, which called for the convening of both
houses in Benicia on February 16, 2000; and
   WHEREAS, The City of Benicia, cooperating with the State
Department of Parks and Recreation, ensured that the building was
fitted with a fire escape and wheelchair access ramp in time for the
legislative session; and
   WHEREAS, The City of Benicia graciously offered its assistance in
planning the event, and, in cooperation with the Benicia Chamber of
Commerce, organized a historically themed luncheon at the Clock Tower
Building; and
   WHEREAS, The Clock Tower luncheon is scheduled to be attended by
the Members of the Legislature, statewide constitutional officers,
citizens of Benicia, government and business leaders from Solano
County, and others, including Senate President pro Tempore John L.
Burton and Assembly Speaker Antonio R. Villaraigosa, who are to
address the assemblage; and
   WHEREAS, At the Clock Tower luncheon, speeches on state history
are to be delivered by State Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr, Sonoma State
University Professor Edward Castillo, and California History Center
Foundation Trustee Mary Jo Ignoffo; and
   WHEREAS, The houses of the Legislature are to meet at 1 p.m. in
their respective chambers at the Benicia State Capitol, at which time
the winners of a Benicia school essay contest are to be recognized
and honored for their scholastic achievement; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby commends the City of
Benicia, the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, and the citizens of Benicia
for being thoughtful and generous hosts on the occasion of the
Legislature's celebration of California's sesquicentennial, and that
a suitable plaque be placed at the Benicia State Capitol site to
memorialize this event; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit suitable
copies of this resolution to the Mayor of the City of Benicia, the
Benicia Chamber of Commerce, the Native Sons and Native Daughters of
the Golden West, and the Director of Parks and Recreation, whose copy
shall be displayed at the Benicia State Capitol.
